One-Day Getaways

One-Day Getaways

by Lauren Salinero


Living in Orlando has plenty of benefits. With “The Happiest Place On Earth” located in our backyards, it’s hard to imagine ever wanting to leave. However, venturing out to discover what the rest of Florida has to offer creates experiences and memories that you never imagined. Whether you seek adventure, history or beauty, one-day getaways provide away-from-home vacations without the stress of long-distance traveling.

Less than 100 Miles

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

1112 Stevens St., Lake Helen

Distance from Orlando: 22 miles

The Hotel Cassadaga, which claims to be visited by ghosts, beckons visitors to the town of Cassadaga.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is heralded as the Psychic Capital of the World. The unincorporated town attracts mediums, healers and spiritualists from all over the world. Visitors range from those wanting to have their palms read to travelers on a spiritual journey. Residents of the camp are mediums, psychics and like-minded people. The Cassadaga Hotel, once part of the camp, was sold to private owners during the Great Depression, and it is no longer associated with the camp. However, that doesn’t stop ghosts from frequenting its halls and rooms.


Blue Spring State Park

2100 W. French Ave., Orange City

Distance from Orlando: 34 miles

Blue Spring State Park is home to the largest spring on the St. Johns River. It hosts various activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, bird-watching, scuba diving, canoeing and more. Its most notorious visitors; however, are not snowbirds, vacationers or even locals — it’s the manatees that fill up its waters from November through March. As a winter home to these gentle giants, the waters are closed to swimmers and divers during the manatees’ stay. There is even a webcam set up, so you can observe the creatures no matter where you are.


De Leon Springs State Park

601 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,

De Leon Springs

Distance from Orlando: 47 miles

With paddle boats, canoes and kayaks available to rent, not to mention swimming, picnic and playground areas, De Leon Springs State Park is a popular destination for the entire family. After soaking up the outdoor air, visitors can book a Fountain of Youth Eco/History Tour and cool off at the Sugar Mill Restaurant, famous for its cook-your-own pancakes. The park boasts a 4.2-mile hiking trail; butterfly garden that has about 500 plants; and excellent bird-watching, as it is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.


Daytona International Speedway

1801 W. International Speedway

Blvd., Daytona Beach

Distance from Orlando: 52 miles

Those with a need for speed can find all the fast-paced action they can handle at Daytona International Speedway. Home of the Nascar season-starting Daytona 500, the speedway hosts motor vehicle races of all types. Visitors can attend an official tour daily and visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. For the ultimate adrenaline junkie, the track offers a Nascar Racing Experience, which includes everything from a ride-along to driving a Nascar race car.


Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Merritt Island

Distance from Orlando: 52 miles

For an experience that is out of this world, nothing beats the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Guests can explore, learn and experience all perspectives of historic mission launches at the John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s primary launch center. Bus tours are available to view different areas of the operational facilities, including a tour led by a real astronaut. Other experiences range from seeing the first launch pad and learning about NASA’s early space programs to jumping into a training simulator and trying your hand at shuttle docking and landing.


Spook Hill

North Lake Wales Drive,

Lake Wales

Distance from Orlando: 54 miles

Just over an hour outside of Orlando, Spook Hill is located in Lake Wales. According to local legend, the chief of an Indian village battled and killed a huge alligator, creating a small lake. The chief was buried by the lake. Some say Spook Hill is the gator out for revenge. Others say it is the chief, protecting his land to this day. No matter what you believe, if you park on the white line and put your car in neutral, it will roll uphill, defying gravity.


©Max Lindsey
The Singing Tower carillon is a beautiful masterpiece that can be found on the grounds of Bok Tower Gardens.

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales

Distance from Orlando: 57 miles

When Edward W. Bok founded Bok Tower Gardens and commissioned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., he said he wanted “a spot of beauty second to none in the country.” Those who have strolled through the nearly 50 acres of gardens, glimpsing sights of threatened and endangered animals and 126 different species of birds, can attest to Bok’s achievement of this goal. The looming centerpiece of the gardens is the 205-foot neo-Gothic and art deco Singing Tower carillon, designed by Milton B. Medary. Its stonework was crafted by Lee Lawrie. Also on the property is a historic mansion, the Pinewood Estate, which is open for walking tours.


St. Augustine & Castillo de San Marcos

1. S. Castillo Dr.

Distance from Orlando: 92 miles

For the true history buff, the city of St. Augustine is the oldest city in the nation, being the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental U.S. Whether you want to stroll down cobblestone streets in search of food and shopping, climb the steps of the lighthouse, or drink from the famed Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine has it all. It is also home to the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., Castillo de San Marcos. Visitors can stand at one of the fort’s four bastions and imagine the English siege of 1702 or the Native American prisoners held at the fort after the Civil War. Visitors can take advantage of the daily programs and ranger-led tours, as well as cannon firings and weaponry demonstrations.

 

More Than 100 Miles

Devil’s Den, an underground spring located inside a dry cave, is a popular spot for those who enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling.

Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring and Blue Grotto

5390 NE 180 Ave., Williston

Distance from Orlando: 102 miles

If scuba diving and snorkeling are your thing, Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring should be at the top of your list. This underground spring is located inside a dry cave and was named for the steam that rises from the cave mouth on cold mornings. Fossils have been found there dating back to the Pleistocene Age. Dip into the crystal clear water that stays at 72 degrees year-round and explore ancient rock formations for the dive of a lifetime. While you’re in the area, stop by Blue Grotto, the largest clear-water cavern in freshwater spring country. It reaches a maximum depth of 100 feet.


Ghost Town of Ellaville

Distance from Orlando: 188 miles

Have you ever wanted to visit a ghost town, an entire town completely abandoned and left to ruin? Look no further than Ellaville, located near the Suwannee River State Park. The town was founded in 1861 by George Drew, who would become the first governor of Florida after Reconstruction. It grew to prosperity after Drew and his partner, Louis Bucki, opened a steam-operated sawmill following the Civil War. A series of disasters led residents to abandon the place, including the sawmill burning down, severe flooding and the effects of the Great Depression. The end of the town was marked by the closing of the post office in 1942.


Butterfly World

3600 W. Sample Road,

Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek

Distance from Orlando: 200 miles

Experience the colors of 20,000 live butterflies from all over the world and hundreds of exotic birds at Butterfly World, the world’s largest butterfly park. Opened in 1988 by Ronald Boender, Butterfly World consists of 3 acres of butterfly aviaries, two tropical bird aviaries, botanical gardens and a working butterfly farm and research center. Guests can also enjoy an interactive lorikeet encounter. Explore a rainbow of colors and exotic sounds while learning about these precious
creatures.


Everglades National Park

815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City

Distance from Orlando: 230 miles

For the adventurous at heart, explore the untamed backcountry of the Everglades National Park, covering nearly 2,400 square miles of wilderness. Enter through the Everglades City Entrance for the shortest trip, and plan a day of unexpected surprises. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, birds, river otters, foxes, panthers, bobcats, skunks, bears and many others. A plethora of activities are also available, including boating, fishing, camping, hiking and more, as well as ranger-led tours, naturalist guides and airboat tours.


Tallahassee-Leon County Civil Rights Heritage Walk

East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee

Distance from Orlando: 257 miles

Literally take a stroll down memory lane with the Tallahassee-Leon County Civil Rights Heritage Walk. The sidewalk displays 16 terrazzo panels along a half-block stretch, depicting stories and quotes from the city’s bus boycott of 1956 and lunch counter sit-in demonstrations between 1960-63. It also lists the names of 50 local civil rights leaders and “foot soldier” activists, who were involved in major civil rights events in the area.


Florida Caverns State Park

Address: 3345 Caverns Road,

Marianna

Distance from Orlando: 322 miles

You don’t have to travel out-of-state to explore caves filled with limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. Florida Caverns State Park is the only state park in Florida that offers cave tours to the public and one of the few that has dry caves. The park also has an equestrian facility for riders to stable their horses and camp on horseback. Golfers can enjoy the nine-hole course set within the park. That’s in addition to the usual biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and other park activities. ♥